| Todai-ji Nigatsu-do | 東大寺二月堂 |
| Nara (奈良) | August 9, 2018 |
About Nigatsu-do
Most people go to Todai-ji in Nara for the Great Buddha (and the deer) and understandably so. It’s huge, very imposing, and absolutely worth the visit. However, there’s more to the temple than the main hall that you pay to enter. This goshuin is from one of the other buildings on the Todai-ji grounds, Nigatsu-do, or February Hall.
Originally founded in 752, it was later dedicated to Kannon and Suni-e, a repentance service held on the second month of the lunar calendar, has been held here every year since 760.
My Visit to Nigatsu-do
I came here with my friend Maggie on her first trip to Japan. We were both pretty exhausted but determined to get a lot of sightseeing done and visit shrines and temples. After a long day of walking and fending off deer (One ate Maggie’s prized omamori) we were not looking forward to the stairs up to the building bit it was worth it. The building is stunning and the view is lovely.
There are actually a few different goshuin you can get here. This one features the phrase “Namukan”, assocatied with Kannon.
You can see other goshuin from Nara here.
Links
Homepage (JP)
Omairi Club (JP)
